John Baer

John M. Baer is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, holds a Masters Degree from Temple University, is a former Fellow of the American Political Science Assn. in Washington, under whose auspices he studied at the Brookings Institution and worked a year in Congress, and a Fellow of the Loyola University School of Law's inaugural Journalist Law School program in Los Angeles. The National Journal (in 2002) called Baer one of the county's top 10 political journalists outside Washington, saying Baer has, "the ability to take the skin off a politician without making hurt too much."

Email John at baerj@phillynews.com

Guv: We can't afford new courthouse now
What will the jurors think of Fumo?
Complete coverage of politics

John Baer: Harrisburg: Getting darker before dawn?

Posted 07/02/2008

THE LARGEST full-time legislature in America is set to stampede out of Harrisburg for its annual summer break - leaving, as usual, a bunch of good ideas trampled underfoot.

John Baer: In Pa. budget race, another year of faltering before finish line 06/30/2008: A BAD PUN: Gov. Ed tries to push Pennsylvania forward, but he just can't budge it. See, it's June 30, the end of the state fiscal year, another budget deadline, and guess what?
John Baer: Saving taxpayers $100 million: No-brainer? In Pa., no way 06/25/2008: YOU'D THINK that our conservative-leaning Legislature would jump at a chance to save $100 million a year in the state welfare budget, wouldn't you?
John Baer: They rock! Group uses concerts to sign up young voters 06/23/2008: I'M NOT MUCH of a rock concert fan. I'm too old and they're too loud. And even when I wasn't too old I didn't go to many.
John Baer: Is that a hint of reform in the air? Nah, we're still in Pennsylvania 06/18/2008: IF YOU WERE from another planet and went to yesterday's Senate State Government Committee meeting in the Capitol, you might think that Pennsylvania is a progressive place.
John Baer: Once again, prognosis for Pa. health-care progress is grim 06/16/2008: I SAID IT before. I'll say it again. Until state lawmakers help hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians without adequate health care or insurance, they should forgo their own taxpayer-financed coverage.
John Baer: It's time to rethink primaries and let democracy rise 06/11/2008: I HAVE TO CONFESS. The presidential primary season that just ended hit me - a practicing political cynic - as a remarkable bit of democracy.
John Baer: Real reform lie dying as Legislators strangle hopes 06/09/2008: AS STATE lawmakers rattle around the Capitol trying (again) to pass a budget on time, or trying (again) to pass a statewide smoking ban, I'm reminded (again) of the need for reforms - and how unlikely they are to happen.
John Baer: Illinois senator tops Clinton for presidential nod 06/04/2008: What's it mean for the party?

NOW THAT it's finally, formally over - even if Hillary Clinton didn't concede last night - what did this seemingly endless race bring to Democrats, women and the general election?
John Baer: The Clintons have officially lost their minds 05/29/2008: IT IS NOW crystal-clear: The Clintons have jumped the shark, left the building, gone over the edge. And it's time to say buh-bye.
John Baer: Can't the state budget wait? We're on vacation, people 05/27/2008: ENJOY YOUR Memorial Day? Back at work today? Well, your state Legislature, the largest, most expensive full-time legislature in the nation, is still on its two-week Memorial Day break.

MORE STORIES

John Baer: Did state court, Legislature play for pay? Is this Pa.? 05/21/2008
John Baer: Now that she can't win it, why is Hill in it? 05/15/2008
John Baer: Let's enter Bloomberg in the veep sweepstakes 05/12/2008
John Baer: A fair plan for choosing between them 05/07/2008
John Baer: Here's a thought: Elected officials start paying for their own gas 05/05/2008
John Baer: Fumo's slavery zinger: What set Vince off? 05/01/2008
John Baer: Almost like a real debate, just out of context 04/30/2008
John Baer: For Clinton, Wright's the gift that keeps on giving 04/28/2008
John Baer: Was Pa. primary a turnpike to a major Dems pile-up in Denver? 04/24/2008
John Baer: A Fumo look back: 'I'm going to miss it' 04/23/2008
John Baer: Tomorrow's question: What kind of state is Pennsylvania today? 04/21/2008
John Baer: Still on the lapel thing? 04/17/2008
John Baer: Clinton has reason to celebrate in western Pa. 04/16/2008
John Baer: At forum on faith, the Dems find redemption 04/15/2008
John Baer: Decades of working-class neglect - now that's insulting 04/14/2008
John Baer: In Dem primary, will youth vote make the difference? 04/11/2008
John Baer | Can this guy actually win?
John Baer | A new lawmaker sheds a rare light
John Baer | From Bush, a born-again W.?
John Baer | For Brady, '07 won't be your typical race 01/23/2007
John Baer | Here's to your health: Ed's 'prescription' should be filled 01/18/2007
John Baer | Ed speaks brr-iefly to launch Term 2 01/17/2007
John Baer | Ed: Make your speech a ripping good tale 01/16/2007

Top Jobs
Top Homes
Top Cars

Philly.com Promotions

Apparel
Books
Movies
Page Reprints
Photos

Ticket Offers

COMCAST TIX

Concert: Sheryl Crow
Concert: Celine Dion
Concert: Eric Clapton
Concert: Billy Crystal

OTHER OFFERS

Concert: REM
Concert: Erykah Badu
Concert: Death Cab for Cutie
Concert: Jimmy Buffett